I need you guys to fix my bike! PLEASE! :)

[Obje0110]

Hey Guys!

I have a 2004 Ninja that has been sitting all winter.
I recently purchased some carbs from a running bike and put them on mine. My diaphragms were shot from my carbs.
I put the bike all back together and charged the battery.
I went to start the bike and it will run, but only with choke on.
I let it warm up for a while and tried taking it off choke.
As soon as I started to move choke, the rpms dropped and the bike died. It did this repeatedly.

It has all new fluids and grade high octane gas, it has been sitting, but sitting inside and smelled fine.

Any references or suggestion would be fantastic!

Thanks
Emily

[choneofakind]

What are the idle mix screws set at?

If you crank up the idle speed adjuster, will it die still? or will it sorta idle?

Did you check the new carbs to see if the pilot jets and idle circuits are clean?

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

What are the idle mix screws set at?

If you crank up the idle speed adjuster, will it die still? or will it sorta idle?

Did you check the new carbs to see if the pilot jets and idle circuits are clean?

Now sure what they are set at.

I adjusted the idler and it still died.

I didn't really want to mess with too much and not get it back together.
I checked the diaphragms and switch out the needles and thats it.

[choneofakind]

Are the caps on top of the idle mix screws still or have they been taken off?

If they're off, screw the idle mix screws in just until they stop turning. Then count in 1/2 turn increments, and back them out 2.5 turns. That will get the screws roughly where they should be.

Will it keep running if you hold the throttle?

[Zaydoc]

Sounds like they need a good cleaning.

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Are the caps on top of the idle mix screws still or have they been taken off?

If they're off, screw the idle mix screws in just until they stop turning. Then count in 1/2 turn increments, and back them out 2.5 turns. That will get the screws roughly where they should be.

Will it keep running if you hold the throttle?

Ill have to take the carbs off and see I cannot remember if they were there or not. I'm not even 100% sure I hooked everything up right. I tried finding a diagram of were things went but I didn't so I kinda just guessed.

I tried turning the throttle while turning off choked and the bike died.

I wish I was a little more educated with bike maintenance and knew what I was doing. At this point I am mainly reading and trying to apply it!

[choneofakind]

That's a good thing.

Have you read through faq.ninja250.org ? that's a great place to start off. Lots of good information

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

That's a good thing.

Have you read through faq.ninja250.org ? that's a great place to start off. Lots of good information

yeah im a member on there. but the part diagrams didnt help with installation...

[choneofakind]

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...ork_on_them%3F

I would pull the carbs and try cleaning the pilot jets and idle circuits with carb cleaner and compressed air.

Do you have the ability to take it for a ride to warm it up once you start it? If it idles when hot but not when cold, that means that it's lean when idling. First step if you can get it warmed up is adjust the idle mix. If that doesn't work, clean the carbs and set the mix screws at 2.5 turns.

If the EPA plugs are still over the mix screws, remove them when you clean the carbs.

[lc86]

yeah im a member on there. but the part diagrams didnt help with installation...

Try this thread http://www.ninja250forum.com/forum/i...p?topic=2732.0 Here is a useful pic from that posting.



Edit: Since you don't have the CA bike, yours would be exactly the same minus the t-fitting going to the emissions. Here is the link to all the pic goodness http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Carburetor_photos

[alex.s]

check your idle speed. look at the adjuster, its a cable that attaches to a screw that limits how far closed the throttle will get. adjust the screw until you can see that it is physically pushing on the cable wheel thing

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by lc86

try this thread http://www.ninja250forum.com/forum/i...p?topic=2732.0 here is a useful pic from that posting.



edit: Since you don't have the ca bike, yours would be exactly the same minus the t-fitting going to the emissions. Here is the link to all the pic goodness http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/carburetor_photos

thanks!!!!!!!

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by Obje0110

I adjusted the idler and it still died.

Adjust it more. Really, it likely could be that simple.
A very common mistake people make is setting stuff somewhere when it's not properly warmed up (several miles of riding.)

Do what you did today again tomorrow, but when the bike is warmed up nicely (at least a few minutes, but don't let the thermometer go past half way) reduce the choke part way, so that the rpms drop a little, but the bike stays running.

Make a mental note of where this point is. Turn the idle adjustment screw clockwise. Does doing so raise the RPM? If not, keep turning until it does.

Understand that the adjuster just sets the minimum throttle position--it keeps the throttle from returning completely to 0 when you release it, since that would stall out the bike. So it holds the throttle at 1 or 2% open instead of letting it snap all the way back... Unless it's in totally the wrong position (which is possible if it was set by someone who didn't know what they were doing). When twisting the adjuster makes the revs increase by 2,000 or so, THEN you will be able to back off the choke a little bit more, and the revs will drop again. Keep increasing the idle adjuster and decreasing the choke a tiny bit each at a time until you can back off the choke all the way.

That will likely solve your problems. Even if it doesn't, it's definitely what you should try before you start taking apart the carbs again and messing with the pilot jets and stuff...

Glad to hear you got some carb diaphragms, btw.

[Skippii]

Originally Posted by Obje0110

Ill have to take the carbs off and see I cannot remember if they were there or not. I'm not even 100% sure I hooked everything up right. I tried finding a diagram of were things went but I didn't so I kinda just guessed.

If you've got a camera, we can tell you if you did it right.


What sort of airbox/air filters are you running? The type as well as condition can have a huge effect on idle problems.

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by Skippii

Adjust it more. Really, it likely could be that simple.
A very common mistake people make is setting stuff somewhere when it's not properly warmed up (several miles of riding.)

Do what you did today again tomorrow, but when the bike is warmed up nicely (at least a few minutes, but don't let the thermometer go past half way) reduce the choke part way, so that the rpms drop a little, but the bike stays running.

Make a mental note of where this point is. Turn the idle adjustment screw clockwise. Does doing so raise the RPM? If not, keep turning until it does.

Understand that the adjuster just sets the minimum throttle position--it keeps the throttle from returning completely to 0 when you release it, since that would stall out the bike. So it holds the throttle at 1 or 2% open instead of letting it snap all the way back... Unless it's in totally the wrong position (which is possible if it was set by someone who didn't know what they were doing). When twisting the adjuster makes the revs increase by 2,000 or so, THEN you will be able to back off the choke a little bit more, and the revs will drop again. Keep increasing the idle adjuster and decreasing the choke a tiny bit each at a time until you can back off the choke all the way.

That will likely solve your problems. Even if it doesn't, it's definitely what you should try before you start taking apart the carbs again and messing with the pilot jets and stuff...

Glad to hear you got some carb diaphragms, btw.

That's something I am a lot more comfortable doing! I'll attempt messing with the idler today. Doing it like you suggest.

I'm glad I got some carbs as well!
Just have to get everything running and I'll be a lot more happy!!

The airbox is the stock one that came with the bike. I curse that thing!

[Obje0110]

Well he won't even start today....

[choneofakind]

for reference: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_is..._at_startup%3F

[Obje0110]

Well I got it to start and I was able to back the choke off a fair amount but not all the way. I got it to idle around 2000 - 3000 rpms. I tried to keep backing off the choke and turn the adjuster clockwise but it would not work either. I tried holding the throttle open and slowly backing off the choke but that didn't work either.
So I'm letting the bike cool and then I'm going to take the carbs off and try adjusting the mix screws.
Thanks everyone for your help! I wouldn't have known where to start without you guys!

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

for reference: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_is..._at_startup%3F

Yep I just read that and I see I was using the choke incorrectly! Thank you!

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Are the caps on top of the idle mix screws still or have they been taken off?

If they're off, screw the idle mix screws in just until they stop turning. Then count in 1/2 turn increments, and back them out 2.5 turns. That will get the screws roughly where they should be.

Will it keep running if you hold the throttle?

Now this is more than likely a dumb question but is that
1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 = 2.5 or
1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2= 2.5
Also is there a way to do this on the bike without taking the carbs off!?
This is my first bike ( obviously) so just asking obvious questions so I'll know for next time!

[GateKeeper]

this

1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/2= 2.5

or do 1 +1 + 1/2 = 2.5

.

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by GateKeeper

this



or do 1 +1 + 1/2 = 2.5

.

What I thought! But just didnt want to assume!

[GateKeeper]

There is never a wrong question.....

[Obje0110]

Originally Posted by GateKeeper

There is never a wrong question.....

Thanks!

[lc86]

Originally Posted by Obje0110

Well I got it to start and I was able to back the choke off a fair amount but not all the way. I got it to idle around 2000 - 3000 rpms. I tried to keep backing off the choke and turn the adjuster clockwise but it would not work either. I tried holding the throttle open and slowly backing off the choke but that didn't work either.
So I'm letting the bike cool and then I'm going to take the carbs off and try adjusting the mix screws.
Thanks everyone for your help! I wouldn't have known where to start without you guys!

If you keep having problems with it I can always send you my newgen carbs to try. You might have to rejet them, but I bet you could get them to work, plus it would be a fun proof of concept. They are barely used and there are no problems with them.